Pneumatic presses with configured press chamber and membrane and methods of using the same

ABSTRACT

Presses are usable to press bond footwear in press chambers lined with an elastic press membrane shaped like the footwear. The press chamber can be held at negative, neutral, and positive pressure, causing the press membrane may to seat evenly to either the press chamber walls or against the footwear for bonding. When at neutral pressure, the press membrane follows the interior contours of the press chamber but is separated from the same, partially compressing the footwear fitted inside. In this way an operator must easily negotiate the footwear into the membrane through an opening in the same but cannot simply throw the footwear into the membrane. The various pressures may be achieved with a pressure source feeding in to the press chambers and may be cycled between an open, vacuum configuration for insertion, neutral holding position, and closed compressed configuration for bonding.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a related art pneumatic press 100 having a membrane for pressing soles through pneumatic pressure. Press chamber 1 includes a cylindrical-conical structure with a membrane 2 made of material that allows a large elastic deformation. When placing shoe 7 to press the sole, lid 6 is closed, and pressure is established through compressed air inlet and outlet nozzles 3. Since membrane 2 is elastic, it deforms (right) until reaching the form of shoe 7, which is pressed on all sides for a time necessary for gluing. After the pressure is released, membrane 2 (left) returns to its original shape, approaching the walls of press chamber 1. Related art pneumatic press 100 is typically operated by: inserting footwear 7 inside membrane 2 in chamber 1; closing lid 6; establishing necessary pressure; maintaining the pressure until gluing is complete; releasing the pressure; opening lid 6; and withdrawing shoe 7.

FIG. 2 illustrates another related art pneumatic press 101 that has nozzle 9 for vacuum release at a time sufficient for membrane 4 to stretch until reaching the walls of press chamber 1. In FIG. 2, shoe 7 is placed inside membrane 4 (left), the vacuum is deactivated by nozzle 9 and air enters and causes pressure from inlet nozzle 3 in chamber 1, and membrane 4 (right) is compressed to shoes 7 everywhere. Nozzle 9 then draws a vacuum or lower pressure again, making it possible to remove footwear 7 and insert another part.

FIG. 3 is a detail illustration of pneumatic press 102 with membrane 4 in normal operation having a vacuum drawn around membrane 4 in press chamber 1. Related art pneumatic press is operated by: establishing a vacuum through nozzle 9 sufficient to open membrane 4 to receive footwear; inserting the footwear inside membrane 4 in chamber 1; removing the vacuum through nozzle 9 to establish work pressure until gluing is complete; releasing of the pressure; reestablishing the vacuum through nozzle 9; and opening the lid and removing the footwear.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments and methods include press molds, or presses, usable to pressure bond, or press bond, articles like shoes. One or more press chambers in the presses can maintain a relative pressurization or suction to perform the press bonding. The press chambers may be shaped like the shoes, but larger, to house the same; that is, the press chambers may have an inner surface that substantially matches the elongated, flat L-shape of a human foot at a distance. An elastic press membrane lines each press chamber in a matching but smaller shape such that when a press chamber is suctioned, the press membrane may uniformly seat to the press chamber, and when the press chamber is pressurized, the press membrane may uniformly compress against the shoe. This may provide even compression that bonds various parts of the shoe through an adhesive or other pressure-activated joining. When neither compressed nor suctioned, the elastic press membrane may hang or be positioned apart from the press chamber walls but partially compressed against the shoe inside. Suction, and even vacuum, as well as compression, may be achieved with a pressure source and optional valve feeding in to the press chambers.

The press membrane has an opening for inserting the shoes that opens and closes with suction and pressurization. This may be the only opening in the membrane that is otherwise sealed in the press chamber. When open, a shoe may be placed in the fitting membrane by snaking or reorienting the shoe into the membrane. Because of the same shape between the membrane and shoe, the shoe cannot be forcefully dropped or thrown into the membrane but must be oriented along the same L-shape. The membrane may be formed of a rubber or other resilient elastic material, and the press chamber may be formed from a less malleable material to hold the pressure or vacuum, such as a machined aluminum or other rigid material. The shoe or other footwear article may be any material(s) the bonds under pressure, including leather, rubber, foam, fabric, glues, etc. for various portions of the shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments will become more apparent by describing, in detail, the attached drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference numerals, which are given by way of illustration only and thus do not limit the terms which they depict.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a cross-section of a related art press.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of another cross-section of a related art press.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a related art press.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a cross-section of an example embodiment press with a configured press chamber and membrane.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a cross-section of an example embodiment press in operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Because this is a patent document, general, broad rules of construction should be applied when reading it. Everything described and shown in this document is an example of subject matter falling within the scope of the claims, appended below. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely for purposes of describing how to make and use examples. Several different embodiments and methods not specifically disclosed herein may fall within the claim scope; as such, the claims may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only examples set forth herein.

It will be understood that, although the ordinal terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited to any order by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another; where there are “second” or higher ordinals, there merely must be that many number of elements, without necessarily any difference or other relationship. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments or methods. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The use of “etc.” is defined as “et cetera” and indicates the inclusion of all other elements belonging to the same group of the preceding items, in any “and/or” combination(s).

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” “mated,” “attached,” “fixed,” etc. to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected,” “directly coupled,” etc. to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). Similarly, a term such as “communicatively connected” includes all variations of information exchange and routing between two electronic devices, including intermediary devices, networks, etc., connected wirelessly or not.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and the are intended to include both the singular and plural forms, unless the language explicitly indicates otherwise. Indefinite articles like “a” and “an” introduce or refer to any modified term, both previously-introduced and not, while definite articles like “the” refer to the same previously-introduced term. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, characteristics, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not themselves preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, characteristics, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The structures and operations discussed below may occur out of the order described and/or noted in the figures. For example, two operations and/or figures shown in succession may in fact be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Similarly, individual operations within example methods described below may be executed repetitively, individually or sequentially, to provide looping or other series of operations aside from single operations described below. It should be presumed that any embodiment or method having features and functionality described below, in any workable combination, falls within the scope of example embodiments.

The Inventor has newly recognized that related art pneumatic presses have not evolved for future needs in connection with pressing soles and other articles. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, press chamber 1 is cylindrical or cylindrical with a conical part and rubber membrane 2/4. The proximity of rubber membrane 2/4 and press chamber 1 greatly decreases the durability of membranes 2 and 4. Specifically, with the pace of work required for competitive productivity, operators often fall into a rapid rhythm of throwing a mounted shoe 7 with leather and sole into membrane 2/4. The proximity of walls of press chamber 1 and membrane 2/4 causes them to come into rapid and frequent contact, and this fatigues membrane 2/4 due to the force of impact, causing early rupture.

The Inventor has further recognized that the vacuum created by nozzle 9 to draw an opening of membrane 2/4 for inserting shoe 7 inside requires membrane 2/4 to be thinner and even more elastic to create the opening under a vacuum. If a size of membrane 2/4 is increased to reduce this increased elasticity requirement and making it large enough to be hold shoe 7, this creates another problem of excess rubber that causes pockets of retained air in membrane 2/4, which can be seen in FIG. 2 right, which prevent even bonding of footwear 7 in these regions. The regions of retained air do not allow proper gluing or bonding, requiring rework in shoe 7. Example embodiments described below address these and other problems recognized by Inventors with unique solutions enabled by example embodiments.

The present invention is press molds and methods of operating the same. In contrast to the present invention, the few examples discussed below illustrate just a subset of the variety of different configurations that can be used as and/or in connection with the present invention.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are illustrations of an example embodiment press 200 usable for bonding or otherwise compressing articles. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, press chamber 201 and press membrane 202 are shaped to match an outer perimeter of articles pressed therein, in this example, footwear 3. Press 200 may efficiently join soles to tops of shoes or trestles and may be used for gluing soles in easels in the upper part of shoes or other articles. Particularly, press chamber 201 may use a straight line or surface, rays, and/or proportional construction with an orthopedic form so that press chamber 201 has an interior shape that matches the shape of shoes. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of press 200 showing this shape of press chamber 201. Because press chamber 201 resembles a shoe with a hollow interior this may more precisely place footwear 7 in chamber 201 for increased effectiveness in gluing the leather or other material to the sole of shoes 3. Press chamber 201 may be fabricated of cast aluminum and machined, or of any similarly light, flexible, and easily machined material, which may require less energy to construct.

Press membrane 202 may include straight lines, rays, and/or proportional construction that provide a shape matching an article to be placed therein, for example as seen in FIG. 4, a shape for foot fit. Press membrane 202 may be fabricated of a rubber or other elastic material with resiliency to withstand several vacuum cycles, openings, and positionings of shoe 7 inside membrane 202 in press chamber 201. In this way membrane 202 may withstand the force of high pressure or compressed air to compress shoe 7 and achieve bonding of the soles to shoes 7.

As shown in FIG. 5, press chamber 201 is mounted in example embodiment press 200 with an opening and shape that significantly reduces or prevents an operator throwing articles like shoes 7 inside press membrane 202 lining press chamber 201, which may reduce or prevent damage to membrane 202 from such contact. Rather, press chamber 201 may be shaped and mounted to require an operator to place and maneuver shoe 7 in press chamber 201 without throwing force or damaging press chamber 201 and/or membrane 202, which may increase the lifespan of both. The matching shapes of press chamber 201 and press membrane 202 may further match an article pressed therein, such as shoe 7, where the soles for the upper part of shoe 7 or trestles are matched to the anatomical forms of press chamber 201 and membrane 202.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of example press 200, showing a vacuum state (left chamber) and compressed state (right chamber). A vacuum or pressurized state may be created by pressure source 203, which could include a vacuum or suction pump, low pressure volume, pneumatic air source, compressed air cylinder, compressor, etc. Pressure source 203 may connect to press chamber 201 through valve 209 that partially or fully controls a vacuum or compressed state when opened or closed. With the deactivation of the vacuum (right chamber) press membrane 202 may naturally return to its natural shape that matches shoe 3. This reshaping alone, without additional compression, may enhance glue bonding on the soles on shoe 3, thus avoiding the need to rework areas that were not perfectly adhered, such as due to air bubbles or gaps. Pneumatic pressure may be provided in press chamber 1 to further compress membrane 202 to the entire outer surface of shoe 3, providing full bonding.

Example embodiments and methods thus being described, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that example embodiments may be varied and substituted through routine experimentation while still falling within the scope of the following claims. For example, although a sneaker-type show with relatively thick sole, low ankle, and lace-up front is used throughout the figures, it is understood that different footwear with matching chamber and membrane shapes are usable in example embodiments—and fall within the scope of the claims. Such variations are not to be regarded as departure from the scope of these claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A press for bonding footwear soles, wherein the press comprises: a press chamber having an internal surface in a shape of a human foot; a press membrane enclosed within the press chamber and having an opening to an outside of the press, wherein the press membrane is in the shape of the human foot and is elastic; and a pressure source configured to reduce pressure in the press chamber to draw the press membrane to the internal surface of the press chamber and open the opening and configured to increase pressure in the press chamber to compress the press membrane to a footwear article having the shape of the human foot for press bonding.
 2. The press of claim 1, wherein the press chamber is machined from cast aluminum, and wherein the press membrane is a rubber.
 3. The press of claim 1, wherein the opening and the shape of the press membrane requires the footwear article to be maneuvered inside the press membrane and prevents entry of the footwear article through throwing.
 4. The press of claim 1, further comprising: a valve between the pressure source and the press chamber configured to control whether the press chamber is in a pressurized or vacuum state.
 5. The press of claim 1, wherein the press membrane at neutral pressure has the shape of the human foot that matches and is smaller than the press chamber to not be in contact with the internal surface of the press chamber.
 6. The press chamber of claim 1, further comprising: the footwear article inside the press membrane, wherein the footwear article is in the shape of the human foot and smaller than the press chamber, wherein the footwear article includes a sole and top portion connected by glue that bonds the sole and top portion upon compression in the press chamber.
 7. The press chamber of claim 1, further comprising: an additional press chamber; and an additional press membrane, wherein the additional press chamber and the additional press membrane have a same configuration as the press chamber and the press membrane and are operable independent of the press chamber and the press membrane.
 8. A method of pressure bonding footwear, the method comprising: inserting a footwear article into a press through an opening in a press membrane in a press chamber of the press, wherein the press chamber has an internal surface of a shape matching the footwear article, and wherein the press membrane has the shape matching the footwear and is elastic; pressurizing the press chamber to compress the press membrane uniformly to the footwear article to close the opening and bond the footwear article.
 9. The method of claim 9, further comprising: suctioning the press chamber to draw the press membrane to the internal surface of the press chamber and open the opening.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the pressurizing and the suctioning are performed with a pressure source connected to the press chamber through a valve.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the inserting includes maneuvering the footwear article into the press membrane without throwing or losing contact with the footwear article.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the press chamber is machined from cast aluminum, and wherein the press membrane is a rubber.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the press membrane at neutral pressure has the shape of the footwear article that matches and is smaller than the press chamber to not contact with the internal surface of the press chamber.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the footwear article is in a shape of the human foot and smaller than the press chamber, wherein the footwear article includes a sole and top portion connected by glue that bonds the sole and top portion during the pressurizing.
 15. A method of pressure bonding footwear, the method comprising: suctioning, with a pressure source, a press chamber in a press with a pressure source to draw a press membrane to an internal surface of the press chamber and open the press membrane to outside the press, wherein the press membrane is elastic, and wherein the inserting includes maneuvering the footwear article into the press membrane without throwing or losing contact with the footwear article; inserting a footwear article into the press membrane, wherein the press chamber has an internal surface of a shape matching the footwear article, releasing the press chamber to neutral pressure, wherein the press membrane at the neutral pressure has the shape of the footwear article that matches and is smaller than the press chamber so as to not be in contact with the internal surface of the press chamber, and wherein the releasing causes the press membrane to be in uniform contact with the footwear article and partially bond the footwear article; pressurizing, with the pressure source, the press chamber to compress the press membrane uniformly to the footwear article to close the opening and bond the footwear article, wherein the footwear article is in a shape of the human foot and smaller than the press chamber, wherein the footwear article includes a sole and top portion connected by glue that bonds the sole and top portion during the pressurizing; suctioning, with the pressure source, the press chamber to neutral pressure to draw the press membrane to the internal surface of the press chamber and open the press membrane to outside the press; and withdrawing the bonded footwear article. 